Chrissie asked
Do I need a prescription for Carbamazepine extended-release caps 300 mg? Or can I order it somewhere on the internet even from another country? Thank you
Answer
Yes, a prescription is needed for carbamazepine extended-release capsules. Getting carbamazepine from outside the United States for personal use would not be legal and is discouraged. There are numerous issues with buying medication from outside the country. There are significant issues with:
- Counterfeiting
- Customs seizure
- Differences in prescribing laws
- Differences in foreign drug names
Perhaps most importantly, a legitimate manufacturer/retailer of prescription medication from outside the country would not mail you the drug without a valid prescription or an examination. Not only do you not know if the medication you are receiving is as pure and potent as listed, carbamazepine specifically should be used under the supervision of your doctor as it requires careful dose titration and side effect monitoring.
The FDA has extensive information on imported drugs which can be found here: FDA Importation of Medications.